CDS (Coronagraphic Diagnostic Spectrometer)

The Coronagraphic Diagnostic Spectrometer (CDS) is an instrument used on spacecraft to study the Sun’s outer atmosphere, or corona. It captures detailed images and spectra—light broken into its component colors—of the Sun’s hot gases. By analyzing this light, CDS helps scientists understand the Sun’s temperature, composition, and dynamic processes like solar flares and eruptions. Its coronagraph component blocks out the Sun’s bright surface, allowing a clear view of the faint corona. This information improves our knowledge of solar activity and its impact on space weather, which can affect satellites and communication systems on Earth.